44 TAHITI AND EIMEO. 



before sailing we became disgusted with seeing these large and noble- 

 looking men passing from ship to ship, even including Paofai himself, 

 soliciting foul linen to wash, and performing other services that were 

 not in keeping with their rank. There is one, however, whom I must 

 do justice to, — Hitoti. He maintained the character given him by 

 Captain Beechey. I was much pleased with his whole deportment on 

 his visit to me, and also when I saw him at his own house ; he paid but 

 two visits to the ship, and those within a day or two of our departure. 

 That he did not visit the vessels before, was in order, as was supposed, 

 to avoid the suspicion of trespassing on our liberality ; he refused to 

 accept any presents, and would only drink wine when requested, per- 

 forming all the little couriesies of the table with grace and politeness. 



On his visit to the Peacock, Lieutenant Emmons and Mr. Hale being 

 the only gentlemen on board, received him with the attentions due his 

 rank ; when taking leave, he requested to know their names, which 

 were given to him in English orthography ; he at once took out his 

 pencil, and with great readiness wrote them in the Tahitian dialect, as 

 " Emaani" and " Helavi !" 



Dr. Pickering and Mr. Couthouy being desirous of making another 

 attempt to reach the top of Orohena, I willingly gave them the longest 

 leave possible, to effect their object. They determined on attempting 

 the ascent of the ridge leading directly up from Matavai Bay, as the 

 one that had appeared to them most practicable. Lewis Sacket, who 

 has already been spoken of, was again their interpreter ; for guide, Mr. 

 Wilson recommended an old man by the name of Vahaore, who was 

 said to be the only person now living who had visited the top of Oro- 

 hena ; in this selection they were fortunate : Vahaore had been in his 

 youth a great warrior, and his looks did not belie it ; he was of the 

 middle size, thin and sinewy, and with a fine eye ; although past sixty 

 years of age, he had scarcely a gray hair ; his gait was firm and his 

 carriage erect ; he was constant in his attention to his duties, and 

 rarely spoke unless relative to his business. 



After the guides had been engaged, our gentlemen passed the night, 

 in a native house close by, ready to start at an early hour. At day- 

 light, Vahaore and his son were provided with ropes ; the reason the 

 old man gave for taking his son was that he might be able to learn the 

 way; They now set out, and by nine o'clock had reached a higher 

 point than at any time on their former journey : this was about three 

 thousand five hundred feet, and was attained after having walked six 

 miles ; when they had reached the altitude of fifteen hundred feet they 

 no longer found any paths ; on arriving at this point, they halted for 

 some time to make collections of land-shells, and some very interesting 



